Sewing-machine



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

L. E. HIGBY.

SEWING MACHINE.

No. 256,141. Patented Apr. 11,1882,

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2*.

L. E. HIGBY.

SEWING MACHINE. No. 256,141. Patented Apr. 11,1882.

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' LUTHER E. HIGBY, or BRATTLEBOBOIIGH, VERMONT.

SEWING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 256,141, dated April11, 1882,

Application filed April 16, 1881.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUTHER E. HIGBY, a resident of Brattleborough, inthe county of WVindham and State ofVermont, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Sewing-Machines; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be afulholear, and exact-description of the invention, suchas will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to makeand use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, andto letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

The object of this invention is to facilitate the action ofsewing-machines, to reduce the cost of construction by doing away withcertain intermediate parts, to render their operation noiseless, and tosimplify and otherwise improve said machines.

The invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangementof parts, as will be hereinafter fullyand definitely embodied in theclaims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, (comprised in two sheets,) inwhich similar letters of reference indicate like parts in each of theseveral figures, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a portion of asewing-machine embodying and illustrating my improvements; Fig. 2, ahorizontal section taken through Fig. 1 in the direction indicated bythe arrow 5 and Fig.3is an enlarged side elevation of the mechanism,more clearly illustrating the same.

In carrying out my invention I construct upon the horizontaldriving-shaft D,which opcrates the sewing mechanism, an eccentric, G,

which actuates a connecting-rod, G, which in turn operates thefeed-shaft L by means of a crank, K, having the same stroke as theeccentric G, as will be manifest. Said connectingrod is held inengagement with eccentric G by eccentric-strap H, which encircles saideccentric O, as indicated in Fig. 1. The feed-shaft L operates thefeed-bar N by means of a cam, M, which causes the said bar and feedtherewith connected to move both vertically and laterally.

The connectin g-rod G has a supplemental ad- A justable rod, S, arrangedtherewith,as shown,

to aid in its adjustment upon the eccentric and crank. Said rod G alsoactuates the shuttle- (N'o model.)

' leverB by means'of a shuttle-lever shaft, A,

as will be hereinafter set forth.

The shaft D carries a hanging socket, I, and the table or bed-plate W'carries a co-operatiugsocketed bracket, J, which parts, taken together,form bearings for the said shuttle-lever shaft A. Upon the latter areformed arms F, through which the connecting-rod G passes, and near thelower extremity of said shaft is rigidly secured the shuttle-lever B.

As will be clearly understood, the eccentric G, as the shaft D revolves,imparts to the connecting-rod G not only a vertical motion,'but alateral, which causes the shaft A to move reciprocally in the sockets orbearings I J,

thereby imparting to the lever B therewith,

rigidly connected the required reciprocating larly in Fig. 2. I

' The shuttlc-leverB is firmly secured to shut-- tle-lever shaft A in adirect line with the lower arm, F, a portion of which arm passes throughshuttle-lever B, so that each steadies the other, and the connecting-rodG, slidingin the arms F F, relieves the shuttle-lever shaft ofconsiderable strain and secures an easy movement of the parts.

The advantages of my improved mechanism are several, to wit: A directaction is imparted to the shuttle-lever B and feed-bar M. The device issimple, compact, easily constructed, silent when in motion, anddoes awaywith intermediate levers, studs, and ball-joints, all of which give moreor less backlash or lost motion.

By means of the box I, which hangs from the driving-shaft D, asindicated in Figs. 1 and 4, and which adj ustsitself to theshuttle-lever shalt when the extremity of the same is in-. serted in thesocketed bearing therein, much time, skill, and labor are saved inconstructing the machine.

In machines heretofore in use, and of which we are aware, havin gashuttle-lever shaft therein similarly disposed in relation to aconnectin g-rod, G, and having rigid bearings for the extremitiesthereof, much care and skill are required to prevent the severalbearings from binding, and thus superinducing unnecessary friction; butby my device the box I, by turnin g or allowing of being turned upon theshaft I), adjusts itself in proper and easy bearing relation totheshuttle-lever shaftwithout the exercise of the care and skill abovementioned.

It will be observed, also, that the shaft A, rod G, and connections canbe tested before being placed in the arm of the machine, and whensatisfactorily constructed to operate can be placedin the machine-armwithout further testing.

Having thus described myinvention, What I claim, and Wish to secure byLetters Patent, is-

1. In asewing-machine,thecombination,with the shuttle-lever B, rigidlysecured to the shuttie-lever shaft, of said shuttle-lever shaft actuated to a lateral reciprocating pivotal action in the bearings I J bythe connecting-rod G, and having arms F projecting therefrom, the lowerarm passing through and working with said shuttle-lever, all said partsbeing constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as set forthand shown, for the purposes specified.

2. The combination, in a sewing-machine, with the driving-shaft D, ofthe rod G, connecting the eccentric G and crank upon the extremity ofthe feed-shaft L, and passing through arms projecting from ashuttle-lever shaft, the said shuttlealever shaft working in the bearingI, hanging from the driving-shaft, and bearing J upon the bed-plate, andhaving the lower arm, F, passing through the shuttleshaft A, having alateral reciprocating pivotal action, of the bearing J, receiving thelower extremity of said shuttle-lever shaft, and the box I, suspendedfrom said driving-shaft and supported thereby, and having a socketedbearing directly beneath said driving-shaft adapted to receive andreceiving the upper extremity of said shuttle-lever shaft, the wholebeing arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposesherein set forth and shown.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this-7th day of April, 1881.

LUTHER E. HIGBY.

Witnesses:

JONATHAN G. EDDY, FRANK H. FOSTER.

